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Monday, October 20, 2014

A New Book Review? As You Wish!

Last week my sister-in-law surprised me with Cary Elwes' new Princess Bride memoir, As You Wish, and I zipped through it in 2 nights.

I've been looking forward to this read since I first heard about it months ago, so I was positively giddy cracking open the first page. I LOVE behind-the-scenes stories already, but throw in stories from one of my favorite movies of all time? SOLD!

Ok, so, let's start with the obvious: if you're as big a fan of The Princess Bride as I am, you're going to buy this book. And really, if you're that uber fan, you absolutely should.

For everyone else, though? Who may only have a passing interest in a movie they certainly like, but don't, say, quote daily & maybe even have "As You Wish" inscribed in a spouse's wedding ring? (WHAT.)

Well... for those folks, maybe not.

Don't get me wrong; there are some delightful tidbits in Elwes' book, stories that make the movie that much more magical in my eyes - but those tidbits are few and far between. Much of the book's 270 pages feels like filler, as Elwes gushes about how wonderful his co-stars are, how brilliant the director Rob Reiner is, and how blessed overall he feels to have been a part of this movie.

I'm relieved this isn't some grimy tell-all, of course, but after two hundred pages of everyone being wonderful and amazing, but very few personal stories to go along with all the gushing, you start to wonder if you're getting the whole truth. Or maybe we are getting the truth, but Elwes just didn't have enough material to properly fill out the book. Realistically, I think the "good stuff" could have been condensed down to 50 pages, and not felt rushed.

For example, Elwes spends 4 or 5 pages detailing the entire plot of The Princess Bride. Not just reminding us what happens in case it's been a while; actually explaining it as if we've never seen the movie... but still chose to read a book about it. (Ohhh... kaaaaay....)

I'm sad to say that, even as short as the book is, I ended up skimming several sections. Elwes drags out even the most interesting stories - trying to milk them for all their worth, I guess - and even then, I didn't feel like I was really getting an insider's scoop. It all felt a little too sanitized, too diplomatic, like he didn't want to reveal anything too interesting for fear of offending his co-stars. (There's a vague reference to Mandy Patinkin's competitive streak during fencing training, but no examples or details.)

In fact, the most interesting stories revolve around Andre the Giant, and I can't help but wonder if Elwes felt more free sharing those because Andre is no longer with us. (Or maybe because those stories are already so well-known?)

On the plus side, sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from the rest of the cast and crew, often recounting their own memories of the same events. Those breaks help give Elwes' memoir a more well-rounded feel, and while there were no big revelations, it was still a nice addition.

That's my spoiler-free review, but now, as a reward, I'm going to tell you a few of my favorite things I learned. Some (all?) of these were already on the internet, so it's possible they won't be spoilers at all! Still, if you'd rather wait and get your movie trivia from the book, then STOP HERE.

Ok, my #1 go-to trivia for the next time I need a good ice-breaker - because I go to at least one or two parties a year and hey, IT COULD HAPPEN - In this scene:

The one where Count Rugen hits Westley over the head with his sword? The scene used in the movie shows Christopher Guest (as Count Rugen) actually knocking Elwes unconscious.

Elwes woke up later in the ER, as they were stitching up his head. In Guest's defense, they didn't have a prop sword, so the heavy metal handle came down harder than he intended, plus Elwes *told* him to just go ahead and hit him.

And in this scene:

Watch how Westley gets up; see how he favors one leg? That's because Elwes had just broken his big toe riding Andre the Giant's 4-wheel ATV - I think the same day, even - and was in a huge amount of pain.

Those are the only two injuries Elwes sustained the whole movie, and I guess it says something about me that I find those the most interesting. :D

On the funny side, for the scenes with Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, Elwes spoiled so many takes by laughing that they had to replace him for most of it with a prop dummy on the table:

Again, to be fair, *everyone* was spoiling takes by laughing, including the director. The only injury Mandy Patinkin received during the whole shoot was during this scene; he bruised a rib, trying to hold in his laughter. Ha!

And finally, the sweetest revelation for me:

Wallace Shawn (Vizzini) was terrified of heights, and though all the long shots in this scene were done with stuntmen, the close-ups were done on a 30-foot tall fake cliff set. He was apparently so distraught that they physically tied him to Andre, who told Shawn, "Don't worry, I'll take care of you." (FEELZ!!) After that, Shawn was able to do the scene.

There were a few other really fascinating bits about Shawn, but I'll leave those for the book.

So, what'd you think, guys? Any favorite parts I missed? Or did you already know all these from various BuzzFeed articles? :D ([shaking fist at sky] Curse you, Buzzfeeeeed!)

25 comments:

I had to laugh when you mentioned the "good stuff" as i am currently re-reading William Goldman's "The Good Parts Version" of the Princess Bride. (The 30th Anniversary Edition, which has many funny and interesting extras)

Funny thing, (and you may know this already) The "Good Parts" Version is actually the original. The "original" book by S. Morgenstern is completely made up. Me and some friends read it for a book club one time and I searched for the original for a week or two before I found out it was fake.

When I was in college, only one of my group of friends had a TV/VCR. None of us had a car the first semester, and even after Christmas, I was the only one. The Princess Bride was one of three movies we had, and we watched it a bazillion times (conservatively). The friend who owned the TV recently bought this book, and we're all mailing it around to read it, and each of us is going to sign the dust jacket/poster. Twenty years later, and these women are still some of my very favorite people on the planet.

I happily zipped through it too and then had my hubs watch the movie with me on Saturday night for our anniversary :) And we had music from the movie at our wedding 11 years ago...the piece that plays when Buttercup rides away from the castle, just before she meets Inigo, Fezzik, and Vizzini for the first time.

Anyway, I agree with you that the book was light on actual revelations; most (if not practically ALL) of that material is on the commentaries on the DVD/BluRay. *SPOILER ALERT* The one bit I read that made me laugh hysterically with tears streaming down my cheeks? One of the pictures at the end had a caption explaining that when Rugen finally meets grown-up Inigo for the first time, Christopher Guest thought that he should give a terrified little toot before dropping his sword and running away. I laughed So. Hard. when I read that.

So yeah, no sordid drama at all but a sweet little book of memories of the making of one of the greatest movies in the world, to be watched while eating an MLT.

Realistically, I think the "good stuff" could have been condensed down to 50 pages, and not felt rushed.

For example, Elwes spends 4 or 5 pages detailing the entire plot of The Princess Bride. Not just reminding us what happens in case it's been a while; actually explaining it as if we've never seen the movie... but still chose to read a book about it. (Ohhh... kaaaaay....)

Oh my gosh...

Cary Elwes is S. Morgenstern!!! He spends pages detailing things he doesn't need to... It needs to be condensed... "The Good Parts version..."

I just listened to this on audiobook on a long drive to and from my parents' house. It was great for this sort of thing; because Cary Elwes is telling stories, it's not difficult to follow along while you're paying attention to other things like driving. He also likes to do impersonations, so often mimics the people he is quoting. He does a great Rob Reiner! Many of the sections from the cast and crew are read by them as well.

In this medium, I quite enjoyed the book, but I don't think I ever would have picked up a physical copy to actually read. Perhaps, in this one case, audiobook really is the better version!

Yes, it's Cary Elwes reading the book, with interjections by most of the cast and crew that wrote little exerpts. It still gives you the chance to fast-forward the part recapping the plot if you want (though I let it run because I was alone in the car and didn't want to fiddle with it). Also, his accent is delicious to listen to, so that doesn't hurt :-)

Yep, definitely seems like the audio book would be way more entertaining. Never knew Elwes was so great at impressions. Did you hear his Bill Clinton yet? He did it during an NPR interview. It's hilarious. Lemme see if I can get this link thing to work: Cary Elwes interview on NPR

Oooh, I heard that interview, too. It was really fun. Thanks, Jen, for the book review. It sounds like a good book to get out of the library--a nice, light, sweet book to relax and enjoy over the holidays. But the audio book sounds GREAT. I love to listen to stories--I'm a real sucker for "This American Life" and "The Moth" and other spoken word events and podcasts.

He was so adorable and charming in person. Him telling the stories was so entertaining and yes, his impressions were so funny. I had the best time listening to him. And he's so gracious about it, about how this movie changed his life.

One person in the audience asked a very inappropriate question about his "conquests". The entire audience cringed in embarrassment. He actually handled it really well and said that all he would say was that being recognized as Westley was a very good thing for a certain time in his life.

I was so mad I didn't get to see Cary Elwes at NYCC. He OF COURSE was only there the day of my brother's wedding, and I was maid of honor so I couldn't even sneak out and go. I wanted an autographed copy *harrumph*

Still, I can probably cross some people off the ole Christmas list with a couple of copies of the book. (Fun fact- my mom was asked to do a speech at my cousin's wedding, and was told to read whatever she thought was appropriate, so of course she read the "mawwiage" speech. Nobody except myself and the bride knew it was coming. It was beautiful.)

My wife and I just watched The Princess Bride the other night! My uncle used to work at a restaurant that I guess happened to be near where a lot of pro wrestlers performed. He said Andre the Giant used to come in there all the time and clean out their buffet. He has quite a few stories about him actually.

Also, yes, if something is special enough to you that you inscribe it onto part of your wedding/marriage, you are a huge fan. Though I can take solace that it wasn't a Monty Python or Ghost Busters quote or something. Having, " What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow" inscribed on your wedding band might confuse people.

At AwesomeCon Cary Elwes was talking in his panel about being banned from the set during the Miracle Max scenes because he was laughing too much (Rob Reiner was also sent away) and the moderator said "Wait... weren't you, y'know, IN that scene?" and he admitted the replaced him with a dummy and the whole room exploded in laughter. That was definitely my favorite part of the whole con.

I got to see him at NYCC and during the panel a girl in the audience had a coughing fit so he poured her a glass of water and brought it to her!!! So maybe the reason he didn't reveal a lot of "dirt" is because he's a genuinely nice guy? Oh I'd love to believe!!! :D

I also saw him in the panel at NYCC and he is so charming and sweet and funny in person! The panel was technically over and the moderator was trying to wrap it up, but he took the mic and started walking around and taking questions. It was the last thing my friend and I did at the con and I can't imagine a better way to cap it off.

Emily is right - he does amazing impressions that are spot-on and so hilarious! I would definitely listen to the audiobook if I got the chance.

Thanks for the preview--can't wait to read the book! This year I made my kids all watch the Princess Bride with me again for my birthday. I love waving to my kids as they walk to the bus stop, "By kids, have fun storming the castle!"--pretty good metaphor for life!

Wallace Shawn played a bad guy on Mysteries of Laura and the Snarky Hipster guy that works in the police station said, "Old lefty lawyer turned ruthless killer? I would have said inconceivable." Awesome. I quoted Princess Bride to my daughter for years until she finally saw it.